Florida House ready to increase contribution limits for campaigns

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida House is preparing to pass a sweeping measure that would increase contribution limits for campaigns.

The House is expected on Friday to approve a bill (HB 569) that would let statewide candidates accept $5,000 contributions. The current limit is $500. The legislation would allow legislators to accept $3,000 contributions.

The campaign finance measure would also eliminate a type of political committee that critics maintain have been used as slush funds for legislators.

The bill would also allow incumbent candidates to keep $50,000 of unspent campaign money for future elections. Current law requires candidates to close down their campaign accounts after an election.

Democratic legislators tried to alter some of the provisions - including the contribution limit - but Republicans defeated the amendments on Thursday.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.